THE ENLISTED FORCE

Overview Foundations of the Enlisted Force Air Force Enlisted Force Evolution Evolution of Duties and Status The Enlisted Force Structure General Responsibilities Enlisted Education Additional Resources

Foundations of the Enlisted Force Organization Use many ranks from 1775 Adopted British Army & Navy Concepts with minimal changes Professional Military Names Names used for ranks go back several centuries Soldier: Comes from Latin word “solidus” Sergeant: Comes from Latin word “serviens” Insignia First US military insignia used during revolutionary war By order of General George Washington

Air Force Enlisted Force Evolution Beginnings Need to bolster military aviation Army Signal Corps WWI WWII Need for technical skills Enlisted pilot program

Evolution of Duties and Status The Career Force Changing American Society’s Perceptions Internal Changes Doolittle Board Structure 55/45 Policy 55% Career & 45% First Term

Evolution of Duties and Status Noncommissioned Officers Work without supervision Understand complex job-related problems Train subordinates Senior Master Sergeant & Chief Master Sergeant Ranks Opened up promotions Promote highly qualified NCOs Eased promotion stagnation (Korean Hump)

Evolution of Duties and Status Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) Followed tradition of Army and Marine Corps October 1966: CMSAF position created April 1967: CMSgt Paul Airey First CMSAF Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) Created in 1970 Fill communication gap between CMSAF and lower echelons 1 November 1998: Title formally changed to Command Chief Master Sergeant (CCM)

The Enlisted Force Structure Three Distinct and Separate Tiers Junior Enlisted Airman Tier Noncommissioned Officer Tier Senior Noncommissioned Officer Tier Each Tier: Correlates to an increased level of education, training, and experience Correlates to an increased level of proficiency Correlates to increased leadership and managerial responsibilities

The Enlisted Force Structure Philosophy Provide consistent, well-defined expectations, standards & opportunities for growth of ALL Airmen The Air Force Core Values are at the core of everything we do We are all Airmen, regardless of specialty

The Enlisted Force Structure Purpose Provide an enlisted force structure that best meets mission requirements Provide a common, stable career structure for all enlisted personnel Provide all Airmen the opportunity for professional growth

Junior Enlisted Airman Tier Airman Basic (AB) Pay Grade: E-1 Airman (Amn) Pay Grade: E-2 Airman First Class (A1C) Pay Grade: E-3 Senior Airman (SrA) Pay Grade: E-4

Junior Enlisted Airman Tier Airman Basic (AB) Responsibilities: Adapt to the requirements of the profession of arms Gain knowledge of military customs, courtesies, Air Force standards Attain occupational proficiency Official term of address: Airman Basic or Airman Airman (Amn) Continue to learn and adapt to the profession of arms Begin to show job proficiency Still require significant supervision and support Official term of address: Airman

Junior Enlisted Airman Tier Airman First Class (A1C) Responsibilities: Master skills in career field; become effective team members Typically earn 5-skill level at this grade Continued supervision is essential to technical and professional growth at this level Official term of address: Airman First Class or Airman Senior Airman (SrA) Perform as skilled technicians and trainers Begin to develop supervisory and leadership skills Attend Airman Leadership School (ALS)—may serve as supervisors upon completion Official term of address: Senior Airman or Airman

Noncommissioned Officer Tier Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Pay Grade: E-5 Technical Sergeant (TSgt) Pay Grade: E-6

Noncommissioned Officer Tier Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Responsibilities: Highly-skilled technicians Supervise, train, and develop subordinates Official term of address: Staff Sergeant or Sergeant Technical Sergeant (TSgt) Organizational technical experts Develop subordinates Attend Noncommissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) Official term of address: Technical Sergeant or Sergeant

Senior Noncommissioned Officer Tier Master Sergeant (MSgt) Pay Grade: E-7 Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Pay Grade: E-8 Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) Pay Grade: E-9

Senior Noncommissioned Officer Tier Master Sergeant (MSgt) Responsibilities: Transition from technical experts and first-line supervisors to operational leaders Significantly increased responsibilities MSgt selects should enroll in & complete SNCO professional military education via distance learning Official term of address: Master Sergeant or Sergeant Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Key, experienced, operational leaders Continue professional development Official term of address: Senior Master Sergeant or Sergeant

Senior Noncommissioned Officer Tier Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) Highest Air Force enlisted rank Operate at operational or strategic levels of leadership Superintendents and managers Provide senior enlisted leadership Official term of address: Chief Master Sergeant or Chief

Special Senior Noncommissioned Officer Positions Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) Senior enlisted leader of the Air Force Provides leadership to the Air Force Advises Air Force Chief of Staff, Secretary of the Air Force, and Secretary of Defense on enlisted matters

Special Senior Noncommissioned Officer Positions Command Chief Master Sergeant (CCM) Senior enlisted leader in a wing, major command (MAJCOM), number Air Force (NAF, etc. Provides leadership to the enlisted force of the organization Advises commanders on enlisted matters

Special Senior Noncommissioned Officer Positions Superintendent Squadron, group, or function at wing-level position Provides leadership, management, and guidance to meet mission needs Work with commander and Command Chief Master Sergeant to execute mission accomplishment

Special Senior Noncommissioned Officer Positions First Sergeant Go-to for all readiness, morale, welfare, and quality of life issues within the organization Advise commanders and command chiefs on morale, discipline, recognition, and professional development of enlisted Airmen

General Responsibilities All Airmen Must Accept and execute all duties, lawful orders, & responsibilities in a timely manner Maintain highest level of personal readiness Exhibit professional behavior, military bearing, respect for authority, and high standards of dress and personal appearance, on- and off-duty Correct other Airmen who violate standards Understand, accept, and demonstrate the Air Force Core Values and the Airman’s Creed

General Responsibilities All Airmen Must (Continued) Actively support and enforce the Air Force’s “zero tolerance” policy for discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault Know and understand the Wingman concept Demonstrate effective followership by enthusiastically supporting, explaining, and promoting leaders’ decisions Continue professional development through on- and off-duty education

Enlisted Education Enlisted Professional Military Education Airman Leadership School (ALS) Noncommissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (SNCOA) Professional Development Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Civilian Education

Additional Resources For more information on the enlisted force: AFPAM 36-2241, Professional Development Guide (PDG) AFI 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure Resources for supervising enlisted Airmen: SNCOs and First Sergeant AFI 1-1, Air Force Standards AFI 36-2406, Enlisted and Officer Evaluation Systems Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) & Manual for Courts Martial (MCM) AFI 36-2502, Airman Promotion/Demotion Programs AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program

Summary Foundations of the Enlisted Force Air Force Enlisted Force Evolution Evolution of Duties and Status The Enlisted Force Structure General Responsibilities Enlisted Education Additional Resources

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